U-403

Type

VIIC

Ordered

23 Sep 1939

Laid down

20 May 1940

Danziger Werft AG, Danzig (werk 104)

Launched

26 Feb 1941

Commissioned

25 Jun 1941

Oblt. Heinz-Ehlert Clausen

Commanders

25 Jun 1941 - 15 Jun 1943	Kptlt. Heinz-Ehlert Clausen
16 Jun 1943 - 18 Aug 1943	Kptlt. Karl-Franz Heine

Career

8 patrols

25 Jun 1941 - 31 Aug 1941  5. Flottille (training)
1 Sep 1941 - 30 Jun 1942  7. Flottille (front boat)
1 Jul 1942 - 28 Feb 1943  11. Flottille (front boat)
1 Mar 1943 - 18 Aug 1943  9. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 12,946 GRT

Fate

Sunk 18 Aug, 1943 in the mid-Atlantic near Dakar, in position 13.42N, 17.36W, by depth charges from a French Wellington aircraft (Sqdn. 344/HZ697). 49 dead (all hands lost).

See the 2 ships hit by U-403 - View the 8 war patrols

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by FDS/NHB during June 1993. More on revised fates.

Sunk 18 Aug, 1943 in the mid-Atlantic near Dakar, in position 14.11N, 17.40W, by depth charges from a British Hudson aircraft (Sqdn. 200/O).

This attack was also against the U-403 without inflicting heavy damages.

Wolfpack operations

U-403 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Falke (11 Jan 1943 - 22 Jan 1943)
   Haudegen (22 Jan 1943 - 15 Feb 1943)
   Rhein (8 May 1943 - 11 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat

6 Feb 1943
The boat was strafed and attacked with 6 bombs by a Canadian Canso aircraft (RCAF Sqdn 5) off Newfoundland and recieved moderate damages. (Sources: Rohwer)

10 May 1943
At 18.41 hours, the boat was strafed and attacked with 2 bombs by a British Swordfish aircraft (FAA Sqdn 811 / M) from HMS Biter (D 97), escorting the convoy HX-237. No damages. (Sources: Rohwer)

30 Jul 1943
The boat was on the surface with the U-43 when Wildcat and Avenger aircraft from the escort carrier HMS Santee attacked the boats. Both dived and U-403 was attacked by two depth charges while the U-43 was attacked by a Fido homing torpedo. U-403 escaped but U-43 did not, being lost with all 55 hands. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 397)

18 Aug 1943
An attack on 18 Aug, 1943 in the mid-Atlantic near Dakar, in position 14.11N, 17.40W, by depth charges from a British Hudson aircraft (Sqdn. 200/O) was believed to have sunk the U-403 but resulted only in minor damages.

The boat was sunk later that same day in another attack.

(Sources: 1993-06-01, FDS/NHB)

4 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-403 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.